Sunday, August 16, 2009

A Question Bob Dylan Would Never Ask: "Don't You Know Who I Am?"

While reading this story, I had the voice of Entourage's Johnny Drama in my ear when, in an effort to console his brother, Vincent, he says: "Ah, forget it, bro. The whole county's on meth!"

Bob Dylan was pulled over by, as Michael Chabon-inspired Grady Tripp would put it, the 'puberty police,' while he was innocently walking around a low-income neighborhood before a conference.

Bob Dylan needs to get inspired too, folks.I was embarrassed for the policemen while reading this. Dylan is one of the strongest cultural signs of our times. I would very much doubt that the police would have resorted to the same tactic had Dylan been, oh, I don't know, Britney or some such pop culture sign. Somehow, I don't quite see Britney and some such artists looking for inspiration in the underbelly of America, however.

So, the tip of the BR hat goes to Dylan this morning for having a small ego and taking it all in stride.

A bit says: " A 24-year-old police officer apparently was unaware of who Dylan is and asked him for identification, Long Branch business administrator Howard Woolley said Friday.

"I don't think she was familiar with his entire body of work," Woolley said.

The incident began at 5 p.m. when a resident said a man was wandering around a low-income, predominantly minority neighborhood several blocks from the oceanfront looking at houses.

The police officer drove up to Dylan, who was wearing a blue jacket, and asked him his name. According to Woolley, the following exchange ensued:

"What is your name, sir?" the officer asked.

"Bob Dylan," Dylan said.

"OK, what are you doing here?" the officer asked.

"I'm on tour," the singer replied.

A second officer, also in his 20s, responded to assist the first officer. He, too, apparently was unfamiliar with Dylan, Woolley said.